Human Hoop Ball
An invasion game where the basket is a hula hoop held by a teammate, who can move it inside a circle to help their team score. Students practice passing, accurate throwing, and cooperation, and it works well when no lower hoops are available.
How to play
- Cone off a 65 x 40 ft court and chalk a 5-ft circle at each end; form four teams of 6 in pinnies, with two teams on each court (3 min).
- One player from each team stands in the circle at the opponents' end holding a hoop at chest height; they may move inside the circle but not leave it.
- The ball moves by passing, and the ball carrier can't walk; a basket is scored when the ball goes through the hoop, worth 2 points.
- Defenders may intercept passes but can't enter a 6-ft strip around the circle or touch the hoop.
- After each basket, the shooter becomes the hoop holder; play 4-minute games and switch opponents (12 min, 3 games).
- Finish by asking how the hoop holder helped teammates (3 min).
Rules
- Five seconds max holding the ball.
- The hoop holder may not catch the ball or leave the circle.
- No ripping the ball away and no pushing.
- Safety: hold the hoop by the sides, away from the face, and throw only a soft ball.
Variations
Easier
Use a large hoop, and hitting the hoop scores 1 point.
Standard
The holder moves the hoop inside the circle, and a basket is worth 2.
Harder
The holder must stand still, and use a small hoop.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: hold the hoop while seated, using a larger hoop.
- Visual impairment: the holder claps or calls out to show where the hoop is.
- Fitness level: the holder role gives a rest without leaving the game.
Learning goals
- Throw accurately at a moving target.
- Pass to move forward without running with the ball.
- Cooperate with the hoop holder to score.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 4
- soft ball: 2
- pinnies: 24
- cones: 8
- chalk: 2
Teacher tip
Remind holders to keep their faces back from the hoop. This is a great way to introduce basketball on blacktops without lower hoops.
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